Best moisturiser for dry skin

How Winter Affects Our Skin

How Winter Affects Our Skin, Why Gentle Care Matters More Than Ever

Maintaining skin hydration is especially important during winter. Choosing the best moisturiser for dry skin can make a noticeable difference when cold weather and indoor heating place extra strain on the skin barrier. Skin Stuff is one of our best moisturisers for dry skin, designed to gently nourish and support the skin barrier through the colder months. Skin Stuff

For many of us, winter isn’t just about colder weather. It’s a season that quietly changes how we live, how we feel, and how we take care of ourselves. Shorter days, busy festive periods, disrupted routines and cold air all have a way of showing up on our skin, often without us realising why.

If your skin feels drier, more sensitive or generally uncomfortable during winter, you’re not imagining it. Research shows that seasonal changes, particularly during colder months, can have a measurable impact on skin hydration, barrier function and sensitivity (Kim et al., 2017).

Cold Weather and the Skin

As temperatures drop, the air naturally holds less moisture. Lower humidity levels reduce the amount of water available to the skin, making it harder to maintain hydration. This is one of the main reasons skin often feels tighter, drier or rougher in winter months (Verdier-Sévrain & Bonté, 2007).

Indoor heating can make this worse by further reducing humidity levels, which increases transepidermal water loss (TEWL), essentially allowing moisture to escape from the skin more easily (Darlenski et al., 2011). Over time, these conditions can leave skin feeling more reactive and less comfortable, particularly if it is already prone to dryness or sensitivity.

Often, it’s not that a product has suddenly stopped working, but that environmental conditions are placing more pressure on the skin’s natural barrier than usual. This is where using the best moisturiser for dry skin, one that focuses on barrier support and gentle nourishment, becomes especially important.

The After-Effects of the Festive Period

The Christmas period is meant to be enjoyed, but it often comes with changes to what we eat, drink and how we look after ourselves. Increased alcohol intake, richer foods, higher sugar consumption and reduced water intake are all common over the festive season. While none of these are inherently “bad”, changes in diet and hydration can influence how the skin behaves in the weeks that follow (Pullar et al., 2017).

These shifts may present as dryness, dullness, breakouts or skin that simply doesn’t feel quite right. Rather than viewing this as something to fix quickly, it can be more helpful to see it as a sign that the skin may need extra hydration, consistency and gentle support.

Darker Evenings, Mood and Skin Health

Winter doesn’t only affect the skin physically, it can also influence mood and emotional wellbeing. Shorter daylight hours have been linked to lower energy levels and changes in mood, which can indirectly affect daily self-care habits (NHS, 2023).

When motivation dips, skincare routines are often simplified or skipped altogether. Stress has also been shown to impact the skin barrier and increase sensitivity and irritation in some individuals (Arck et al., 2006). Skin health and emotional wellbeing are closely linked, and winter often places pressure on both at the same time.

When Winter Leads to Neglecting Ourselves

After a busy and often overwhelming festive period, January can feel like a comedown. Many people are trying to re-establish routines while still feeling mentally and physically drained. During this time, skincare can begin to feel like another task rather than a moment of care.

This is often when skin struggles most, not because we are doing something “wrong”, but because the skin may need gentler treatment and more consistent nourishment during a demanding season.

Why Gentle, Natural Skincare Makes Sense in Winter

During winter, the skin barrier is often more vulnerable. Research suggests that gentle formulations and barrier-supportive skincare routines can help reduce irritation and maintain hydration when environmental stressors are high (Verdier-Sévrain & Bonté, 2007).

Natural skincare can be particularly well suited to this time of year, as it focuses on nourishing and supporting the skin rather than stripping it. Products designed for regular, ongoing use, such as Skin Stuff, one of our best moisturisers for dry skin, help encourage consistency when the environment is working against the skin.

Small Winter Rituals That Make a Difference

Winter skincare doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective. Small, intentional habits can make a meaningful difference, such as applying moisturiser slowly, choosing gentle formulations and allowing skincare to become part of a calmer routine rather than another item on a to-do list.

These moments don’t just benefit the skin, they can also help us feel more grounded during a season that often feels heavy and demanding.

A Kinder Approach to Winter Skin

Winter asks a lot of us. Our routines shift, our mood changes, and our skin often reflects both. Rather than chasing quick fixes, winter can be a time to respond with patience and care.

By understanding how the season affects our skin, physically and emotionally, we can choose gentler routines, kinder products and more realistic expectations. Sometimes, the most supportive thing we can do for our skin is simply slow down.

References

  • Arck, P.C., Slominski, A., Theoharides, T.C., Peters, E.M.J. and Paus, R. 2006. Neuroimmunology of Stress: Skin Takes Center Stage. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 126(8), pp.1697–1704.

  • Darlenski, R., Kazandjieva, J. and Tsankov, N. 2011. Skin barrier function: Morphological basis and regulatory mechanisms. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 4, pp.36–45.

  • Kim, E., Han, J., Park, H., Kim, M., Kim, B., Yeon, J., Wei, L., Wei, L. and Lee, H. 2017. The Effects of Regional Climate and Aging on Seasonal Variations in Chinese Women’s Skin Characteristics. Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications. 07(02), pp.164–172.

  • Pullar, J.M., Carr, A.C. and Vissers, M.C.M. 2017. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients. 9(8), p.866.

  • NHS 2021. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD). nhs.uk. [Online]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/.

  • Verdier-Sévrain, S. and Bonté, F. 2007. Skin hydration: a review on its molecular mechanisms. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 6(2), pp.75–82.

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